Slavery in the United States of America : personal narrative of the sufferings and escape of William A. Hall, fugitive slave, now a resident in the town of Cardiff

SLAYERY

IN THE

UNITED STATES OP AMERICA:

PERSONAL NARRATIVE

OT THE

SUFFERINGS AND ESCAPE

os

Y/ILLIAM -A.„ HALL,

FUGITIVE SLAVE,

NOW A RESIDENT IN THE TOWN OF CARDIFF.

“ All men are by nature equally free and independent, and have
certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into society, they
cannot by any compact deprive or divest their posterity, namely, the
enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and pur¬
suing happiness and safety.”

CARDIFF:

FEINTED BY JAMES WOOD, LITHOGRAPHER, BUTE STREET.

1862.

| Accessions Mo.

15855

1 Class No.

W<£5*JkH

x 2£>

PREFACE.

In offering the following lines to the Public, treating of
incidents which transpired during my life as a slave, it may
he well to observe that nothing has been introduced to give
colour or effect to the narrative. It contains only a
simple and true statement of the cruel and inhuman treat¬
ment to which I was subjected while under bondage. The
exposure, want of food, and cruel ill-usage I had to undergo
while effecting my escape, induced an indisposition which
almost entirely incapacitates me from following my occu¬
pation of joiner. This, coupled with the urgent desire of
many friends of the religious body of which I am an
unworthy member, ( Wesleyan,) has induced me to attempt
this work, hoping that it will both serve to assist me in a
monetary point of view, and awaken in the mind of every
reader a stronger sympathy with those of onr suffering
fellow men who are still subject to the galling chain of
slavery, so that greater effort may be put forth, and more
earnest prayers offered up, that this “ sum of all villanies”
may be for ever abolished.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE,

&c.

CHAPTER I.

My birth-place was at Tennessee, in the United States.
My mother was an African, and my father (as I was in¬
formed) was an Englishman. Previous to my being taken
from my mother, she took me to the cotton press, and gave
me cider to drink; (I think I was nine years of age then;)
there I had a slight idea of slavery, through seeing so
many children at work driving the mules at the gin. To
make myself social, I assisted them, which was the first
piece of labour performed as a commencement in life.
Soon after this all the family left for Warren County,
Mississippi, (450 miles from my birth-place,) where we
resided for two years. My father, whom we left at
Tennessee, got married, and came down the Mississippi to
his father for his portion of property, and while there, he
called at my mother’s house, and had an interview with
her, which tended to give her no satisfaction as to my
future welfare. He returned to his father, and asked him
permission to take me away, to which he consented, and
sent a messenger with accommodation to convey me to his
plantation. When the messenger arrived at the house,
my mother was out in the yard milking her cow. She
saw the object of the visit, and screamed aloud, as if she
would have broken her heart, at the idea of her son
being taken from her, and to see him no more. My aunt
soon after came and arranged my apparel for the journey.
I was taken away without being allowed to bid my mother
adieu. She was left in a state of insensibilit)', giving vent
to her feelings in the most distressing cries imaginable.
• We rode but a short distance, when we met Mr. Hall,
senior, coming to see whether my mother had offered any
resistance to my being removed. By this time my mother

6

was restored sufficiently to follow us, and she overtook us,
still screaming, and was told by my grandfather to be
silent, or else he would burst her head open with his stick.

We proceeded to a village called Vicksburg, in the
Mississippi, which journey took us the remainder of the day.
We tarried there till the next morning, thence to Davidson
County, Nashville, and embarked for Bedford County,
Tennessee, 55 miles from Nashville. When on board the
steamer, I felt the loss of my mother, and my spirits failed
me to such a degree that for two days I had no appetite
for food, though every thing was at my command ; and a
sumptuous dish was placed before me, yet, being so de¬
pressed in spirit, 1 could not eat. My master took me on
deck, and threatened to flog me if I did not eat. I cried,
and he did not carry his threat into execution. He then
left me in the custody of the cook, with instructions to
persuade me to eat. I went to sleep with exhaustion till the
next morning, when I partook of some food. We landed
at Bedford, where I remained for a year, and then moved
into the country, and raised a crop for my master, ' who
with his wife fell sick at the same time, and kept their
bed. The wife died soon after. Being a doctor, my
master was in the habit of attending the inhabitants of
the place professionally. Being called upon to attend
some patients before he was quite recovered, he had a
relapse, and soon followed his wife to the grave. Before
he died, he wrote a letter to his brother in the Mississippi,
requesting him to come and take me to my mother; and
also left a man as security for me, until he should have
arrived; but the doctor that attended him had such an
influence over the people, that he urged the man against
being security for me, so that he should purchase me him¬
self. After having purchased me, I served him one year.

He then sent me to his father, at Rutherford County,
Tennessee, where I remained two years. He came here with
a drove of horses, and took me along with him to the
lower part of the county to sell them. When he bought
me, he promised that he would never sell me to any one,
but he did not adhere to his promise, for he soon sold me

7

to a man named Joe Drake for three hundred dollars.
Through some misunderstanding having occurred, I was
reclaimed. Previous to his taking me from his father,
(which was conditionally,) he desired of him not to sell
me, unless he could find the man who owned my mother,
to which he assented. He took me back after the mis¬
understanding between him and Drake, but soon after
got into difficulties, and exchanged me to his brother,
Mr. B. Gr. White, for a child two years old. I remained
with him for some time, till he hired me to his brother,
Mr. B. F. White, for twelve months, with whom I fared very
well. The next year he hired me to one Mr. Nathan L,
Davies, at Bedford County, with whom my treatment was
very severe. I married while there, and requested my
master to let me go and see my wife twice a-week, but he
refused. I was determined to stand the consequences,
and visited her without leave. My master was told by
some one, but did not then resent it. One evening, how¬
ever, as I was putting the horses in the stable, I got one
in, and was running round the stable after the other,
which I thought went in also, when 1 closed the door, but
unfortunately it was not so ; and the next morning, while
going to feed them, I met my master coming from a service
at which he was the preacher, when he asked me how the
horse came out ? I told him how it happened, and he
went into the house, and came out with a loaded pistol
cocked, and a cow-hide. I ran when I saw him so armed.
He pursued me, and fired the pistol, but it proved in¬
effectual; nevertheless he still followed for two miles, but
I outran him. 1 bent my steps to my former master,
Mr. B. White, to whom 1 related the case. He wrote a few
lines, and sent me back. When I returned, my master
did not say much, but waited till one day while I was
harnessing the horse. He caught hold of me, tied me up to
a post, and gave me thirteen lashes. A few weeks after
this incident, (to spite me,) he hired me to a man eighteen
miles from my wife, nevertheless I visited her still. I re¬
mained with my new master, Mr. Campbell Culwell, till
Christmas. During this time, business called him from

8

home, and while away, the overseer and I fell out, which
ended in my submitting him to the useful influence of a
somewhat severe castigation; and I flatter myself, that
had not an incident occurred, which necessitated my going
away, I should eventually have received one in return
from my master as soon as he arrived.

While on my journey to my master’s father’s house, to
whom my wife belonged, I met Mr. C. Culwell coming
home. His deportment was very gentlemanly, and he
inquired the cause of my leaving. I told him I sustained
an injury—leaving out the thrashing 1 gave the overseer.
He expressed satisfaction, I thanked him, and we parted,
with the promise that I would return on the Monday, if I
got better; but I never returned.

My master then hired me and wife to his brother for
twelve months. He purchased a plantation down the
Mississippi, and took us with him. We fared very well
for six months; at the expiration of which time they had
no meat to give us, so that I was obliged to procure it the
best way I could. After leaving off" work at night, I occu¬
pied my time in manufacturing several articles for house¬
hold use; also, there was a gun which they sanctioned my
using; and the united proceeds enabled me to purchase
the necessaries for our subsistence. When the crop was
gathered in, it was not so plentiful as expected, so they
sold everything’ and we returned to Tennessee.

I was then hired to a Mr. Bradford, on the turnpike, for
twelve months, five miles from where my wife resided. I
asked the overseer to permit me to go and see her twice
a week, but was refused, and referred to the master, who
in his turn sent me back to the overseer. When I returned
to the overseer, he would give me no decisive reply whether
I should go or not; so I went, returned, and was at work
on Tuesday morning. The overseer came with his rope,
and tied me up, and beat me most unmercifully. At night
I took my bed, and went into the bush, where I remained
two days; thence to my master, Mr. B. White, and related
the case to him. He told me to remain till Saturday, and
he went to his father; and while I was asleep at night.

9

the overseer and four men came to take me. In this they
succeeded ; but a circumstance occurred which induced me
to attempt my escape. After I was taken, my hat was
missing, and four of the men went in search of it inside
and around the house, while one man had hold of me with
a rope round my wrist. Seeing that the opportunity was
favourable, as the one that had hold of me was blowing
the fire, I looked at him and at the others that were in
search of the hat, gave a sudden jerk, pulling him fully
thirty feet, and got out the door. He got behind the door,
trying to stop me, but the force with which 1 went was
more than he could stand against. Eventually I got off,
and was over the fence before the others came , to his as¬
sistance. They immediately gave chase, and threw stones
after me, but neither proved effectual. When I got out of
their hands, and away in the bush. I was in a deplorable
state indeed ; my heart swelled, as if it were going to
burst. I had previously taken a severe cold, and was
frightened out of my sleep when the men took me.^ I
went about hugging the trees, thinking to ease my pain :
I laid down and rolled about for hours : and had my
enemies still pursued, they would have taken me without
the least resistance on my part.

I returned to my master, and he sent me to catch his
horse, and saddle it, as he was going to Nashville.
I did so. He then said, “ I want you to go to the turn¬
pike again; ” to which 1 objected; and on his asking the
reason, I told him I did not wish to transgress his order
but considering the manner in which I had already been
treated, I felt sure that if I returned they would whip me
to such a degree that I should be for ever unfit for any kind
of work. He at last consented to my stopping at home
until he returned. I further told him that if he could not
do anything for me, I must then do something for myself,
tor 1 could go into the bush, and remain till Christmas.
When he returned, he went to his father-in-law, and told
him to come and see whether I was badly treated or not;
thereupon he came, and made me pull off my shirt so that
he might examine me. After examining me, he said

10

“ Well, Anderson, that’s pretty bad, but I have whipped
my boy Allan (meaning a man) worse than that.” He'
then requested me to re-dress. He went to my master,
and told him it would be better for him to keep me at
home, for if I were to go back, it would do me more harm
than all the money he would get for me. This was in
1836.

In 1840, through God’s mercy, I became convinced of
my state as a sinner, and sought the lord fervently ;
and in 1842 I found him, to the great joy and relief of
my soul. On the 7th day of August, between twelve
and one o’clock, the light of the Lord shone in my soul:
it seemed that everything around me was giving glory
to God. I gave thanks unto the Lord, and then enquired,
is it possible that I am a child of God ? Yes, it was a
blessed fact, for I couid say, I know that my Redeemer
liveth, for he hath forgiven all my sins.

I stopped with my master from 1836 till 1841, when
he hired me to a Mr. Jackson Flemming, with whom I
remained till 1848, and fared very well. I am happy
to be able to say that, while away, my master also
became converted from an infidel to a Christian. He
became a member of the Camelite Society, which was
founded by Alexander Camel, who resided near Wash¬
ington City.

I was persuaded by my master to leave my society,
and join his. This persuasion lasted for .two years, till
the Camp Meeting was introduced in the neighbourhood
where we were.

I was in the habit of hewing timber for the erection
of tents; and one evening, as soon as I had finished
work, a number of persons assembled, and entered upon
a discussion of some scripture truth. I saw there was
no possible chance of avoiding entering upon an argu¬
ment, so I took courage to speak. My master then
immediately said that I did not know more than tw;o
passages in the Scriptures ; viz.: “ Masters, give unto
your servants that which is just and equal,” and another.
This assertion was an untruth, and he well knew it:

11

however, I convinced them that I was acquainted with
more than two passages.

A gentleman named Benjamin Fugit, who was a
minister of the Gospel, stepped forward, and said to me,
“Anderson, perhaps both of us don’t understand it
alike; abandon all feelings and experience df it, and let
it have its course.” I then bound him, conditionally,
to let me speak, and the others listen, till I came to
a certain point, and then another, and so on, so that
we might understand each other better. I commenced
speaking to him very candidly. I said, “Mr. Fugit,
you have been brought up from childhood to know the
Scripture, and I never had a day’s schooling in my life ;
you state that * the Scripture says what it means, and
means what it says.’ ” “ We agree on this point. The
men who spoke the words you have quoted were men
of God, for they spoke only when the Holy Ghost moved
them ; and the apostle said, ‘ Masters, give unto your
servants that which is just and equal.'” I said to him,
“ Now, Mr. Fugit, I have been labouring here all day,
and bad we made an agreement this morning to labour
for one dollar per day, would it not be just and fair that
you should divide the dollar, and give me half, and you
take the other ? ” He said, if your master were to do so,
then you would soon become greater than he.” I replied,
“ If I become greater than my master, and could afford
to pay him for his labour, is he not as justified in doing
my work as for me to do his ? You have before as¬
serted that God says what he means, and means what
he says: God spoke by the mouth of his servant James,
in the second chapter, from the first verse—“My brethren,
have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord
of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto
your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparfel,
and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment, g,and ye
have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say
unto him, sit thou here in a good place ; and say to the poor,
stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool; are ye not
then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil

12

thoughts ? Hearken, ray beloved brethren, hath not God
chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of
the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love
him P but ye have despised the poor. Do not the rich
oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seat ?
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by which ye
are called ? If ye fulfil the royal law, according to the
Scripture— ‘ Th'ou shalt love thy neighbour as thy¬
self ’ —ye do well; but if ye have respect to persons,
ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as trans¬
gressors.” I then said to Mr. Fugit—“Mr. Cantrell (al¬
luding to a gentleman present) visits your house. I do
not know whether he is rich or not, or whether he has
a gold ring, but he wears goodly apparel, for I see it
You will say to him, Stand here in a good place. You
have exalted him in your opinion, accommodated him at
your best table, and put him in your best bed. And
there is a poor man who has also come to your assembly, ■
(attracting his attention to the man who was just going
to the house,) he belongs to you ; you see what kind of
clothing he has on : and also the kind of shoes and hat,
He is partly blind, and can only see in the daytime;
and brother Davy (the name of the man) was at one
time a member of our society (Methodist), and we often
met at class, and I, understand that you caused him to
leave our society and join yours : you will say to this
man, Stand there, or sit under my footstool; and if he
does not obey your command, you will take a stick and
knock him there. Mr. Fugit, is this according to the
words of God ? ” They immediately turned away with¬
out responding to my question.

The next morning, while I was going to resume the
duties of the day, the cook enquired of me what I had
been doing to the white people P that the wanted to
give me 150 lashes. I told her I did not know. She
then asked what I was saying to the Rev. Ben Fugit?
I called to mind the conversation of the previous even¬
ing, and said to her, Sister Eliza, if they want to give me
150 lashes, I am not only willing to bear it, but also to die,

13

for I only spoke the word of God, which they urgently
prevailed upon me to do ; and if they execute their threat,
then will I rejoice at being whipped for the name of Christ.
But soon after I understood that my master said to Mr.
Fugit—What are we going to whip him for? he only did
what we required of him. So I did not receive the whip¬
ping, but was still expecting it.

I remained with him four years after, during which
time he sold my wife.

CHAPTER II.

After my master had sold my wife, I determined I would
not work for him any more than I could help.

About this time I made an agreement with one of my
fellow-slaves to escape. I wrote two passes, (according to
the laws of the land, every free coloured man must have a
pass in his possession,) one for him, and another for my¬
self. We went to Davidson County, Nashville, Tennessee,
on the banks of Cumberland river ; thence we made our
way to the Steam Boat Wharf, and went on board a
steamer, and offered to hire ourselves to the captain. He
asked us for our papers: we handed them. He said “ I
would willingly hire you, and give you one dollar each per
day, but I cannot do it unless you go and get a white man
who can affirm his knowing you.” He then enquired who
wrote the passes, and whether I did not do them myself ?
I told him I was afraid I wronged a great deal more than
I could write. Had I told him that I had written them,
he would have detained us, and delivered us to our masters.
He still kept the passes, and looked at me seriously, and
said, “ 1 have seen Niggers who could write a good deal
better than this,” and handed them back to me. We saw
there was no possible chance of getting on board the
steamer, so we undertook to go across to Kentucky, and
thence into the State of Ohio. We travelled for nine
nights, and during this time the snow was on the
ground about ten inches deep. We got so cold and ex¬
hausted, that we were compelled to go into a house to

14

warm ourselves and get some food. We made an appli¬
cation to stay all night, but the master of the house
refused. He suspected our being runaways, and questioned
us. My companion replied that we were going to the iron
works, as our master had hired us there. He then asked
for our passes, and said—“Masters in this country never
allow their slaves to be at large without passes.” When
he saw that we could not produce our passports, he con¬
cluded we were runaways, and sent his son for his over¬
seer, shutting the door, and placing himself in front of it.
My companion asked him to open the door. He said he
would not, for we were runaways. My companion then
took hold of him by the collar with one hand, whilst he
opened the door with the other. By this time the overseer
made his appearance, just in time to aim a blow at
my companion, which proved ineffectual, only knocking
his hat off. My turn came next. The overseer put
his leg across the door, so as to stop my egress,
but I sprang over it safely, and overtook my companion.
They then got a couple of horses, and gave chase to us,
and overtook us nine miles from the house. After having
captured us, they asked my name. I told him it made no
difference what my name was. He said he would make
me tell. He asked what my master’s name was. I an¬
swered him in the same manner as before. He took out
his pistol and whip and showed them to me, saying,
“ These are the things that will make such fellows as you
talk in this country.” I said I was one of those whom
they wouldn’t make to talk; and, uttering an oath, he
then interrogated the other man, and asked his name. He
said, “ Harry Pruitt.” “Whom do you belong to ?” He
said, “ Johnny Pruitt.” “ Whence have you come from ?”
“ Butherford County.” “ What State ?” “ Tennessee.”

I saw that the project I had in view was frustrated, there¬
fore I had no alternative but to resign myself to my fate.
The reason I refused telling my own name, as well as my
master’s, was to afford us an opportunity of effecting our
escape thoroughly, for by refusing to answer his questions,
we should have been taken to prison, and kept there for
twelve months; and as soon as that time expired, we

15

should have been sold to defray expenses, and very likely
be removed to some place near where we wished to go,
and so thereby have effected our escape.

I know a great many persons effecting their escape in
this manner.

We were bound and put on the horses, and taken back
to the house. After having had breakfast in the morning,
we were taken to Bargelown, Kentucky, Allan County,
and put in prison. They telegraphed to my master, at
Nashville, Tennessee, and his brother being there at the
time, he telegraphed back to watch us closely, particularly
me, for I was the one that led the other, and he would be
up by next mail. The gaoler came in that night and
chained us to the floor. My master’s brother came up by
the next mail, and paid us a visit in the prison. He said
to me, “ Anderson, what are you doing here P” “ I am
sitting down, sir,” I said. “ How came you to come out
this way ?” I said, “ I am trying to get over the oth er
side of the Ohio river.” “ What were you going to do
there when you had got over P” “ I was going to try and
get a living as other men do.” He said, “ Why, if you
had got over there, the white people would not hire you to
do their work, so you could not have got so good a living
as when you were at home; and, moreover, the Niggers
that are there can’t get any work to do, they are obliged
to go barefooted throughout the winter, and are starving;
further, they get too lazy when over there.” I said,
“ That has nothing t© do with me ; you know that I have
been with your brother for many years, and he never had
an occasion to whip me, for I always went voluntarily to
work for him, and it would be a strange thing if I couldn't
do it for myself.” He made no reply to this.

When the stage-coach was ready, he handcuffed us, and
we left for Tennessee, On our way he asked me what I
thought my master would do with me P I replied, “ He
has got me in his hands, and is at liberty to do what he
pleases.”

When we arrived at home, my master interrogated me
in the same manner as his brother, and I answered him

16

likewise. He told me that if I would tell him the
truth, and nothing but the truth, he would not punish
me, this being the first offence. After having made this
proposition, he went away, but soon returned, and again
asked why I ran away. I said, “ Master Burl, I was
just like other men in my condition, I wanted to be a
free man." This assertion seemed to have a great im¬
pression on him. He said if I would promise to be a
good boy (a common term among the Americans) here¬
after, he would set me free. I said, “ Master Burl, I
will do the best that I can for you.”

I lived with him after for twelve months very com¬
fortably ; at the expiration of which time he took my
children and hired them to a cruel taskmaster, who beat
them so unmercifully that they ran away from him and
went into the woods. After they had been out in the
woods for a fortnight, my master, who had just come
from chapel on a Sunday evening, told me to go and
fetch them in by morning. I said to him, “Master,
I do not wish to disobey your orders, and that I think
you are confident of; you are now requiring a thing of
me with which I cannot comply." He asked me why ?
I said, “ Master, are not my children my own flesh and
blood ? I did not put them in the bush. The man to
whom you hired them treated them cruelly—they ran
away—and if he wants them, then let him go and fetch
them himself.” He said to me, “ You fetch them in by
morning; and if you do not, you will be made to repent
of it.” We then parted. In the morning I got up and
went to work as usual. About noon my master, Mr. Roily
Millar, and one of the neighbours, came riding up to
where I was. I was on the roof of the house at work,
when I saw them get off their horses, and guessing what
their intentions were, I jumped off, and ran about two
miles, and they followed in pursuit. A man who heard
them crying out, and saw me running, came out of his
house and stopped me. They bound me, and carried me
to within about a quarter of a mile of my master’s house,
tied me to a bush, and gave me 70 or 80 lashes with

IT

the stirrup leather. They then told me to go and fetch
the children. I told them I could not do it, for I did
not know where they were. I was let loose, and they
went into the house. I followed them, and got under
the house, which was built a little off the ground, and
overheard their conversation. I then came to the con¬
clusion that as they were so malignant against me, that
if I could' possibly avoid it, I would never work for my
master any more. I came out from under the house,
and went to some of my friends, about ten miles from
home, and stopped with them from the 1st April to the
30th June. During this time I received sad tidings.
One of my friends sought an interview with me, and we
went into a cotton field, where we^ could not be overheard
or interrupted by any one. He said he had sad news to
tell me, and paused. I told him to proceed. He then
said, “ Rosetta is dead !” This was my second daughter.
I had often heard of persons being grieved at having
calamities befall them, but I never experienced it till
that time, for my heart ached, I was depressed in spirits,
and my strength failed me to such a degree that I laid
down on the ground. He told me that the last words
to which my dear child gave utterance were — “I am
going home to see my Father.” They then asked her
whether it was Anderson (meaning me) she was going
to see ? She was near expiring, so that she could make
no reply, but pointed her finger up to heaven. When
he told me this, it took the burden off my heart. I knew
I had brought up my children in the manner which God
commanded, and she had died in the Lord. For six
months previous to this event, she professed to love Jesus,
and to have received the pardon of her sins. I was
confident that she was taken away from the evil to come,
and safely landed in heaven. My friend being a minister
of the Gospel, I asked him to preach a sermon to improve
her death, and have her sisters present. He told me he
would. As it was getting very late, we shook hands and
parted. I saw him no more.

I was about leaving for Canada, when one of my friends

18

brought a young man, who belonged to Mr, Roily Millar,
to me. I took him, and we travelled for three weeks, and
got into Kentucky. We went to a village called Bowling
Green, where we met a friend, and asked him to put us
across Bowles River, but he refused, and said he had no
conveyance of any kind. He persuaded us to take another
course, to which we consented, as we had no other alter¬
native. We turned to the turnpike at Bowling Green to
proceed to Louisville. On the next evening, while we were
lying in the woods, a coloured man came across us ; we
asked him for some food: he went and brought some, and
gave us directions where to go, but we did not travel ac¬
cording to his directions. We took the turnpike road, and
by the first house we came to, saw two white men
fishing in a pond. When they saw us they immediately
dropped their rods and followed us, but did not say any¬
thing till we came to the next house. They then came
up to us and enquired who we were, and where we were
going, but we did not satisfy them, so they rushed upon
us, and called out to the people in the house for aid. We
ran from the road into an oat field, but they did not follow
us. We stopped there and listened to what they were
saying. One proposed getting the dogs; another said they
were not at home—they were taken fifteen miles below
Bowling Green: two of them then volunteered to go and
fetch them, and give us a chase at any rate. They went
for the dogs, returned with them, and put them on our
track; and on the next morning, between eight and nine
o’clock, they came up with us. We had then travelled
sixteen miles from the oat field. When the dogs came up
they did not appear formidable, but quite social, as if we
were some of their own people. The men soon after came
and said to us that if we did not resist, the dogs would’nt
hurt us, but if we did they would soon take us down. We
then surrendered, when they tied us and took us back to
Bowling Green, and locked us up in prison, where we were
kept for ten days. During this time they wrote to our
masters, and Mr. Roily Millar immediately came, chained
us together, and fastened us to his gig. Before we started

19

he ascertained the time of day, which was nearly nine in
the morning. He made us travel 110 miles between that
and six o’clock next evening, and then stopped at an hotel
to refresh himself. The landlord of the hotel remarked,
that if he did not mind he would kill us, for it was three
degrees hotter that day in Kentucky than it was ever
before known to be. We then walked up to Nashville.
Mr. Roily Millar then asked if 1 wanted to go home P
1 said “ Yes; but if you can find any one that will buy
me, it will be much better, for it will be no profit to
take me home.” He soon got a purchaser, named Davies.
The next day Davies gave me into the hands of another
man, who took me to a carpenter’s shop to prove whether
I was a carpenter or not. When he saw what I could
do, he gave Davies 1000 dollars for me, and put me in
prison till next day, along with another whom he led
there. He then took us out, handcuffed together, and
we went forty-two miles, which was the distance to his
residence. When I got to Nashville, I was in as miser¬
able a condition as any poor fellow could be; I was in
such a weak state, that when I was down on the ground
I had to take hold of something before I could get up.
Mr. Campbell (which was the name of my new master)
then made a proposition to this effect—that if I behaved
myself in a proper manner, I should find a good master
in him, but if I did not, he assured me with an oath
he would be as bad as any man living. I told him I
would do my best for him. He said, “ Well, if you do
the best you can, that will be all I require, and all any
man will require.”

I. stayed with him from the latter part of July till
Christmas, during which time I made an agreement
with one of the men, and we ran away. I con¬
structed a canoe, and a couple of oars, and we went
400 miles down Duck River, which empties into Ten¬
nessee River; thence 400 miles to the mouth of Ten¬
nessee River, which distance we effected in nine nights.
The first night we started we met with a sad catastrophe.
The water running very rapidly, and an islet being in the

20

centre of the river, which we did not observe till we got
near to it, our boat was carried against it and capsized,
and one end got fast to a branch of a sycamore bush.
The water being only about three feet deep, we
managed to secure everything but a new pair of boots.
One held the boat, while the other bailed out the water,
and thus righted the boat. We got in, and went safely
down the remainder of our way, till we came into the
Tennessee River, when another accident occurred: we ran
too near to the bank, and the limb of a tree hanging over
struck me on the chest, and knocked me out of the boat.
I threw my hands above my head, and caught hold of it:
there I hung till my friend came to my assistance. The
river was about fifty feet deep. I was taken into the
boat, and we proceeded down the river. It was
snowing very fast, and being very cold and hungry,
we thought it necessary to go out and get some food.
There were some houses near, so I went and got some¬
thing, returned and made a fire, took off my clothes, and
dried them. We again proceeded down the river till the
next morning, and went into the bush (as we travelled
only by night) in search of food. We got some corn
and pumpkin, of which we made a meal, and were very
thankful. When it became dark, we went in search of
some more food, and succeeded in procuring it. We then
proceeded on our journey, and got to the mouth of the
river by the break of day, and had to conceal ourselves
again till night. When night came, the river was in a
state of great commotion—the wind blew very roughly—
so that it was dangerous for us to cross; but it was ne¬
cessary that we should, for if we had stopped, we should
possibly have been apprehended; so we ventured, and
succeeded in reaching the other shore. While my com¬
panion was pulling, I was bailing out the water. When
we arrived on the other side, I gave thanks to the Lord for
our deliverance so far, for now we were on free soil (so
called.) We looked about for the road, and found it.
After having travelled a little, I proposed our sitting down
to partake of the food which I had preserved.

21

On the next evening we met one of our old friends, and
he gave us some food, and showed us the way to Illinois.
We travelled all day—being in a free State—and at night
we met another friend, at whose house we were accommo¬
dated till the next day, when we resumed our journey.
Being very cold, we went in the evening, after travelling
fifty-five miles, into a house to warm ourselves; the master
wanted to take us, but we resisted and ran off: he pursued
and discharged a gun at us, but without effect. We then
travelled the greater part of the night, and at the break of
day we took our station in a hay-loft: there we tarried till
evening, and got out with the intention of proceeding on
our journey, when, to our alarm, we met four men who had
just finished hunting, and were going home. We saw our
position was critical, and that resistance would have been
of no avail, so they took and carried us to the house, where
we remained all night. The next morning we were taken
to Benton prison, where, being frost-bitten, they applied
roasted turnip to our feet, and cured us. Our apprehension
was published in the newspapers, according to the laws of
the country. Our master soon got hold of the news, and
wrote requesting them to keep us in safe custody until he
arrived. According to the message that was sent, we saw
that there was no time to be lost in planning our escape.
They were in the habit of sending a boy with our supper
every evening, so I proposed to my companion that when
the boy came I would break away and he must follow.
The boy came at the usual hour. The place wherein we
were confined was an underground cell, out of which we had
to come by means of a ladder being put down. When the
ladder was put down, I was the first to ascend and break
away, my companion following. The alarm was imme¬
diately given by the boy, when the people around soon
mustered and pursued us. We got into the bush, and were
pursued so closely, that we fell to the ground. Being dark,
v they walked over my companion, thinking he was a piece
* of log, and never noticed him. Tom Jefferson Moonyham,
the keeper of the prison, then offered to any man twenty
dollars for our apprehension that very night. Three men
D

22

got on their horses, and went in different directions for six
miles to each end of the bush. We got up, but were afraid of
one another thinking each other one of the men. I went out
at one end, and my companion at the other. It so happened
that I took the right road, and had not my pursuers gone
that way I should have got away safely, but they took up
their station at a house near to which I was passing, when
the barking of the dog brought them out. They came out
and concealed themselves, and saw me climbing over the
fence, and immediately got out their horses, and followed
at full gallop. I laid myself on the ground, and they rode
past. The master of the house came walking about, and
saw me lying on the ground, and gave the alarm. I got
up and started for the bush, but they followed so closely
at my heels that I was overtaken before I could get there.
I was taken back to the house, and asked some questions,
which I answered. The master of the house seemed very
much affected with my story, made an oath that as long as
he lived, he would never aid or assist in the capture of
another slave: this, however, was of little profit to me.
On the Friday following my companion was captured while
frying to cross the bridge over the river, which they
watched night and day. We were now taken back to
Benton and again imprisoned, and kept under the strictest
vigilance. Eight days after this, our master sent two men
for us. The judge of the county court being called on
business to Shawney town, and not expected to return till
Monday evening, the gaoler undertook the business of
restoring us on his own responsibility, * and proposed that
the men should give him 225 dollars, and take us that day ;
or, wait until the judge returned, and he would compel them
to send for the state marshal (who was then 80 miles from
town) and pay him one dollar for each mile to-and-fro.
They agreed to the first proposition, and then hand-cuffed
us, chained our feet together, and took us to Shawney town,
on the banks of the Ohio. We then crossed the river into
a slave state, where they commenced using opprobrious
epithets to us. The next day we were put on board a
steamer, and proceeded towards home, where we landed

23

on the 7th of March. After landing we were taken to
the store room of Tom Jefferson Kelly, one of the con¬
tractors on the line to which my master belonged. Mr.
Kelly came to me and inquired what 1 ran away for
and struck me a terrible blow on the head with a
stick which he carried in his hand. He went away,
but soon returned, and dealt with me in the same man¬
ner as before. Mr. Bob Campbell (my master) then
made his appearance, and they consulted as to the best
means of securing our safety. They concluded to put
us in prison, and forthwith we were conveyed thither.
On the following day, which was the sabbath, they
tied me up to the gratings of the prison window, strip¬
ped me to the skin, and with a paddle which they
prepared for the execution of their cruel design, beat
me most unmercifully, so that my flesh was afterwards
in a state of decomposition, and to this day the marks
are plainly visible. Here he proved as good as his
word when he promised that if I failed to please him, I
should find him to be as bad or cruel as any man
living. My companion was not hurt so severely, as I
was considered the chief actor in inciting him to run
away.

Mr. R. Camill and Mr. T. J. Kelly *had to appear
the next day before the court, and were mulcted in a
penalty of one hundred dollars, for having violated one
of the rules of the States, viz.:—beating us in prison
on the Sabbath day, which is prohibited. We were
taken the same day 7 miles from the city in which
they lived, to work. Being so very badly abused, they
did not chain us as they were in the habit of doing.
I suffered so greatly from the effects of the flogging,
that two months after, I was tired of my own existence,
and had it been God’s will could gladly have died.

I could hardly have credited their being made to
pay 100 dollars penalty for beating us, but some time
after, my master spoke very gentlemanly, saying, he
wished me to take the oar and row the boat down the
river, turning away after having delivered his message,

24

and muttering to himself that it was “a shame a man
was made to pay for correcting his own property.” I
then believed they did pay. They were now making
preparations to clean out a portion of the river, and
three boats were ordered for the purpose. I got ac¬
quainted with a man of colour, a slave, and enquired
the length of the river, he told me 400 miles. I
asked him if he had been down there. He answered,
in the affirmative. I then said to him, “As you have
been down this river, and are acquainted with the places
around, why do you stop here and work for these peo¬
ple instead of trying to effect your liberty ? ’* I then
proposed that we should escape, and he assented, and
told me that he would call me on Tuesday night. He
then left me and went and inquired of one of the men,
named Lewis, whether I was a trustworthy person or
not, without thinking he would betray us, but this per¬
son immediately went and apprized the overseer, Mr.
Joshua Fox of it. On Monday night I was making pre¬
paration for the journey, when the overseer came and asked
me what I was doing. I told him that I was making a
wallet to keep the little things I expected from my friends.
He told me to get up and come with him, but before I
could obey his command, he took me by the arm and lifted
me, taking care to adjust a cord around my wrist, and then
carried me to the boat in which he slept. He now took a
chain and locked it around my leg, which performance was
executed every night till Saturday. He sent word to the
man who agreed to join me in the escape, to bring some
apples, and he would give him some whisky in exchange,
with which request he complied. When the man arrived
with the apples, one of the overseers was in the boat where
I was, and the other on shore. The one in the boat sa¬
luted him, as one friend would another, then went and
put his hand on his shoulder and said, “You are my
prisoner.” The other overseer came into the boat and did
the same. He was taken out of the boat to the beach,
tied up, stripped, and forthwith received 700 lashes as a
remuneration for his apples, and was told not to say any-

25

thing to his master about it! I was treated in the same
manner, with the exception of having 73 lashes only.
After this he kept me fastened to his berth by night,
and to the crab-winch by day. On the Friday evening
following, the provision was brought to the crab-winch,
(where I was,) and while the man was engaged in dividing
it among the crew, I tried the chain that was around my
ancle, and'found that I could get it off. When they were all
gone, except the man who had brought the provisions, I
asked him if he would go with me, but he turned, and
shook his head, and walked away. The boat was at the
distance of about sixteen feet from the shore. 1 thought
that if I then tried to make my escape I should be cap¬
tured, and it would be better to wait till Saturday ; but
again I thought that if it was the will of the Lord that I
should escape, he would help me to succeed, but if not,
then I must await my dreadful fate on Saturday, which
was to receive 700 lashes on my bare back, with my limbs
extended and fastened to the ground. The much-dreaded
day arrived, and in the evening the boats came to the ferry
crossing. Mr. Joshua Fox unlocked me from the crab, and
took me on shore, and locked me to the root of a tree, and
said to me, “ Anderson, I will make you remember the
company to whom you belong to the longest day of your
life.’' While the cook was getting the overseer’s supper,
the coloured people were baking theirs, and they brought
me a piece of bread and meat. As the overseers were
partaking of their supper, the wind was blowing hard,
which made it necessary to put up a sheet in order to pre¬
vent the candle being blown out. I saw that I was
favoured with another opportunity of escaping. I pulled
the chain from around my ancle, and waited a minute or
two, then took my boots in my hand, and ran along the
bank of the river till I got to the road, and ran off for
abut 600 yards, when I heard the barking of a dog; and
thinking that it would not be safe to proceed in that di¬
rection, 1 turned to the right, ascended a mountain, and
after a time reached the top, panting and worn out with
anxiety and terror. Had my enemies come up there, they

26

could easily have taken me. Although I was in this state,
yet I had prudence enough in me to listen if they were
approaching. I distinctly heard from my station the
alarm created by their discovering that I was gone.
They then went across the river to search for dogs to trail
me, hut did pot succeed in finding any. I emerged out
of my hiding place, and made the best of my way forward,
till 1 came to. a mile-post, which I examined, and found
that I was going the wrong way, and immediately altered
my course. I travelled till morning, then hid myself
during the day, and at night resumed my journey, but
made no progress, through being in a strange part of the
country, so that I returned towards the place from which
I escaped. On Monday night I again changed my course,
and went to a house, where I was told by a person who
proved to be a friend in need, that one of the men was
out on Sunday in search of me, who told him to tell me
that the overseer promised that if I returned they would
not abuse me; <£ but,” said the man, “ if you do return,
the} 7 will kill you.” He gave me some food, and directed
me in the course I wished to take down the river. I
started off and travelled two nights, but, unfortunately, on
Wednesday night I again missed my way, and greatly to
my sorrow and disappointment, arrived on Thursday at the
place I left on Wednesday night. On Sunday morning,
being near the Iron Works, I met a man going home, who
kindly took me to his house, gave me some food, and kept
me three days. He also gave me a new pair of shoes
in exchange for those I had, I travelled down by the
course of the river for three days, till my provisions were
exhausted; I then sought an opportunity of procuring
some, when I met a man going to his wife’s house, (the
privilege is allowed the coloured people in that country to
visit their wives, belonging to other masters, once a-week,)
who took me home with him, and his wife prepared us
food. He then gave me directions, and sent me on my
way; but after going a mile, there was no possible means
of obtaining a conveyance to cross the river, so that I had
to return to the house. I asked the woman to give me

27

a piece of soap to wash my clothes with, as it was the only-
suit 1 had. She gave me the soap, and sent me about
six hundred yafds from the house, at which place she was
in the habit of washing: there I remained till daylight
next morning, during which time 1 washed and dried my
clothes. I resumed my travel for two nights, and went a
long way down, but with great difficulty, and laid on the
hank till evening: then I found a little canoe, and went in
it down the Tennessee river. I was little over a week
going down, and suffered greatly from want of food. I
met with another difficulty when I got to the mouth of the
river: the water being very low, and there being a small
islet in the centre, caused me considerable delay. Just
below the islet there was a village called Paduket, and had
I attempted to go round the islet, I should have been in
danger of being seen and apprehended, so I got out of the
boat and pulled it on shore, and launched it into the Ohio
river, and then went across. After landing I partook of
a water melon, and then resumed my travel, not knowing
where to go: at length, after proceeding some miles up the
river, I arrived at a village, and found that I was again
in the wrong track, and on enquiry was put on the road to
Benton, Franklin County, Illinois. The next morning,
(being the Sabbath,) I found a tree that had been set on
fire. I plucked some ears of corn (they being very young)
and roasted them, which made me a meal that lasted me
two days, and then proceeded on my w T ay some thirteen
miles. The following night I was very weak and hungry,
and could travel only six miles, when I met with a friend
who gave me some food, and directed me where I could
conceal myself till the next day. I went to him on the
following night, and he gave me some more food. The
meat was raw, and as I could not find means to cook it, I
was obliged to eat it as it was. After this I travelled that
night eighteen miles, being strengthened by the meat.
The next day I made a bed out of the leaves of the bushes,
and laid down to rest, when I soon fell asleep. About
twelve o’clock I awoke, being very thirsty, and went in
search of some water; and, wffiile engaged in the search,

28

fell several times from sheer weakness, so that I was
obliged to return to my bed of leaves. When I got there,
I felt so very ill that I half feared I should never get well
again. I lay down, and rolled about in great misery,
thinking I could not live five minutes. At sunset, after
having been a little restored, I resolved to go again in
search of water, come what may. On arriving at a house,
I went in and asked for water. The landlord spoke very
gentlemanly,’ and desired one of his children to give me
some. After drinking the water, he enquired whence I
came, and whither I was going. I told him I came from
Massachusetts County, and was going up to the North.
He then asked if I was a free man. I told him, “ Of
course, as he did not see any slaves in Illinois, it being a
free State.” He asked if I had a pass. I told him men
did not require passes in the State of Illinois. He said
that men of my colour were never allowed to go through
the States without passes. I asked him why. He then
related cases of difficulties having arisen through men
(meaning men of colour) frightening the white women
and their children. I then bade him good evening, and
walked off. He hailed me, and again demanded my pass.
I asked him whether he was sheriff or constable, in¬
vested with power to demand passes from persons. He
declined answering, but kept urging me to show him my
pass. I went out by the gate, and he followed, and with
a maul threatened to knock me down if I did not stop.
When he saw me pay no attention to his threat, he
said if I were going to the next village he would follow
me. The first house we came to, he called out to the
occupants, informing them of his having a stranger,
when four stalwart men soon made their appearance,
and got around me, and entered into a conversation.
My intention was, not to hurt any of them, if I could
possibly avoid it, although my position was critical:
then I thought that if they were to rush on me, I could
only offer resistance by using my knife; but I was not
under the necessity of doing this, for as they were en¬
gaged in their conversation, I availed myself of the

29

opportunity, and ran away, making for the bush—about
seventy-five yards from the road—with one at my heels,
who touched me twice, but could not lay hold of me. I
went into the bush, and sat listening to what they were
saying. They then procured their horses, and guns, and
endeavoured to intercept my flight, but they were foiled in
their attempt, for I found another road to the village I
wished to arrive at. I lost a piece of meat in the chase of
the previous night, and so had nothing but bread to satisfy
my hunger. After arriving at the village, I went to a
spring and obtained some water. At this place I remained
throughout the day, and for food had a piece of bread and
some apples, which I gathered from the trees around. In
the evening I resumed my travel, and at every footstep
I heard secreted myself from observation till it became
quite dark. When the darkness enabled me to emerge from
my hiding place, I proceeded along till I came to a house
where I saw a coloured woman, to whom I made known
my case, and she gave me some food, and sent her little
boy with me to a neighbour’s house. This friend then
sent me five miles out of the village to his mother’s house,
saying I should be accommodated there, as it would not be
safe or prudent for him to keep me at his house, since there
were so many people working on the railway near at hand.
When I arrived there I was in doubt as to its being the
house I was directed to, and went looking about to see
whether there was any object which corroborated his di¬
rections as to its situation. I bent my steps to a hay-loft,
in which I took refuge for the night. I got up in the
morning and went behind a hay-stack to watch who came
out of the house—whether a white or coloured man ; if a
white, I should have concealed myself. It happened, how¬
ever, to be a man of colour, to whom 1 went and bade
good morning. He told me that I need not be afraid, for
he was a friend, and himself a refugee, and had come from
Alabama, an adjoining State to Tennessee. The mistress
of the house, who was a coloured woman, took me in, and
made a bed for me to rest on, as I was exhausted. I can¬
not better ex'plain the kindness of this estimable woman

30

than by adopting the language of scripture —“ I was a
stranger, and she took me in ; I was hungry, and she gave
me meat; I was thirsty, and she gave me drink; I was
naked, (comparatively,) and she clothed me.” May the
Lord reward her for all her kindness ! She kept me for
three days, when her husband returned from a Camp
Meeting. He was a minister of the Gospel, and a worthy
follower of Him who went about doing good, for after
taking sufficient provision for the journey, he provided
horses, and himself escorted me ten miles forward, when
we bade each other adieu. After this kind interposition of
Providence, I exclaimed, “ Surely the hand of the Lord is
upon me for good.” I bent low down and gave God
thanks. I arrived at a village on the morning of the third
day after I left my good Samaritan, and hastened to go
through it quickly, but I again took the wrong road, and
travelled that night across a prairie not less than eighteen
miles. The road being very rough, it wearied me con¬
siderably. After arriving at the end of the prairie, I made
a bed of leaves, and rested for the day. While there, a
man came riding on horseback and stopped opposite where
I was lying ; I perceived him listening very attentively, as
if he was in search of something; he then turned to the
right and rode off, when I got up and hid myself in a more
secure place. It commenced raining, and continued till
sunset, when I again resumed my journey. My way led
through a village, and at a house there I inquired the way
to Springfield. I received full directions, but being so dark,
could not see the way, so had to feel for it; at length I
found the road, and travelled till early morn, when I came
to a plantation, where some calves were lying in a lot.
Being very cold and tired, I drove them out, and laid down
where they had lain to warm and rest myself. After a
refreshing rest I again started for Springfield, and as soon
as daylight appeared secreted myself in a ditch till evening,
when I again arose and proceeded on my way. I arrived
at Springfield between midnight and morning. Here I
found a stable, and remained in it till late in the morning,
when a man came to feed the horses; I could not avoid his

31

seeing me, so I spoke to him, stating that I had come up
early in the morning, and had nowhere to go, so had taken
shelter in his stable, and hoped he would excuse the
liberty. He was not offended, and hade him good morning,
when I started for a walk around the city. At length I
met with a female, who kindly took me to her house, and
gave me some food, and at night, for greater security, took
me to a neighbour’s house outside the city, where, through
the hardships I had undergone, I fell ill, and was confined
for ten days in a state of great prostration. The man I
met with at the house of the minister who so kindly helped
me on my journey here, and who came from Alabama,
(being 52 yeare old,) met me at the house where I fell ill.
On my recovery he joined me, and we started together for
Bloomington, and on arriving there our legs failed us, so
that we could go no farther. The skin on my companion’s
feet bursted, and so reduced were we, that we had to beg
our friends to do something for us. They collected some
money, took us in a carriage, and carried us 85 miles, de¬
livering us into the hands of an abolitionist, who kept us
two days, and gave us to defray our expenses up the
canal to Chicago. We landed at Chicago on the 15th day
of November, 1852, where we were hospitably received
and cheered by a hearty welcome. We were told not to
cherish any ideas of being sent back, for they never allowed
any man who once landed there to return to slavery. After
remaining there a couple of days, I obtained work at my
trade. I did not find it so hard to obtain employment
among my northern friends as my master would have me
believe. I remained here till July, and then went to
Wisconsin; and it being in harvest season, I was enabled
to save a little money. One day a friend (who was a
white man) made kind enquiries respecting me—where I
came from—my escape, &c., and then gave me the follow¬
ing advice:—“As soon as you can settle with these people,
the first opportunity you can get, go over to Canada, there
you will be out of all danger ; these people with whom you
are living are not to be relied on; if your master were
to write, or come himself, they would not hesitate to secure

32

you, in spite of all your friends’ efforts to save you.” This
advice, coming from a white man, I appreciated greatly;
and as soon as I settled with my employers, I took train
and went to Millwakey, got on board a steamer there, and
went to Chicago; thence I took train again to Detroit.
I then stepped into the ferry-boat, and got across to
Canada. When I stepped on the soil of Canada, my old
feelings of dread left me, and I felt that I was no longer
a slave, but a free man ! I thanked God with my whole
heart for his great deliverance out of the hands of mine
enemies. On the next day I had my arrival advertised, so
that, my master, Mr. Bob Campbell, could see that I was
not in hell, as he asserted, but in a free land, where he
could never lay hands on me. He once said to me, that if
I were to run away, and go to hell, he would catch me ;
but (correcting himself) he afterwards said there was no
hell, a statement which they impart to the slaves with the
idea of subjugating them, and making them believe that
they (the masters) possess the power to bless or punish
them in a future state ; and that as they are a lower order
of beings, they are destined to serve them throughout
their lives.

Thus had I escaped, through the mercy of God, after
having been thirty-three years in bondage, and subject to
all the privations, persecutions, and torture inseparable
from the accursed system, to end the last portion of my
days in the land of the free.

I remained in Canada a few years, made a little money,
and invested it in the purchasing of a small craft, in which
I and another man conveyed wood from Canada to Detroit.
One night, while going across, we were caught in a gale of
wind. Having forgotten the compass and lamp, and being
very dark, we were compelled to anchor for the night.
The gale continued throughout the next day, until the
following morning. We tried several times to weigh
anchor, but failed, the waves washing into the boat, and
filled her. About mid-day we took our jib halyard,
fastened it to the anchor chain, with a buoy attached, and
slipped cable. She drifted to within about 100 yards of

33

the shore, and got aground, and some friends who saw ns
came in a boat to our assistance. I afterwards made an
effort to regain her, but through not having the means to
further the undertaking, was obliged to sell her. The two
men who bought her gave me a note payable at six months,
and before the note became due, they decamped—one to
the United States, and the other to a place 700 miles down
Canada—leaving me destitute of the means of getting a
livelihood. I then formed a resolution to emigrate to
Australia, with the intention of ameliorating my condition,
but being advised by a friend who had been there that the
best plan would be to go to Liverpool or London, I com¬
plied with his advice, and took a trip to Quebec, w T ent on
board an English ship, and worked my passage to Liver¬
pool. When arrived there, I received but little money,
and although not having a desire to follow the sea, and
suffering badly from the rheumatism, yet I was com¬
pelled to join a ship, and go to Mobile Bay, in the
United States, where she was loaded with a cargo of
cotton, and went to Havre in France. After the arrival
of the Ship at Havre, I left her on account of being so
badly treated—got on board a steamer and arrived in Lon¬
don where I stopped a few days. Finding no chance of
getting work there, 1 went to Bristol, thence to Cardiff,
where I am still living, and thankful for a residence in
this glorious land of liberty, freedom, and religious
privilege.

THE NEGRO’S COMPLAINT.

Forced from home and all its pleasures,
Afric’s ooast I left forlorn,

To increase a stranger’s treasures,

O’er the raging billow’s borne.

Cruel white men bought and sold me,
Paid my price in paltry gold ;

But, though slave they have enrolled me,
Minds are never to be sold.

Still in thought as free as ever,

What are white men’s rights, I ask,
Me from my delights to sever,

Me to torture, me to task ?

Fleecy locks and black complexion
Cannot forfeit nature’s claim;

"Skins may differ, but affection

Dwells in white and black the same.

Why did all-creating Nature

Make the plant for which we toil ?
Sighs must lan it, tears must water,
Sweat of ours must dress the soil.
Think, ye masters, iron-hearted,
Lolling at your jovial boards,

Think how many backs have smarted
For the gold your trade affords.

Is there, as ye sometimes tell us.

Is there One who reigns on high ?
Has He bid you buy and sell us,
Speaking from His throne, the sky’
Ask Him, if your knotted scourges,
Matches, blood-extorting screws,

Are the means that duty urges
Agents of His will to use ?

Hark! He answers!—wild tornadoes
Strewing yonder sea with wrecks,
Wasting towns, plantations, meadows,
Are the voice with which He speaks.
He, foreseeing what vexations
Afric’s sons should undergo,

Fixed their tyrants’ habitations

Where His whirlwinds answer—No.

THE END.

I

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